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Coinbase announces Paul Grewal’s exit after six years, appoints Molly Abraham as general counsel and Ryan VanGrack as vice chairman – key leadership shift as
Paul Grewal will leave his role as Coinbase’s chief legal officer on July 31, transitioning to an advisory position and staying on the board of Coinbase National Trust Company, marking the end of a tenure that spanned the exchange’s public listing and its SEC litigation [1].
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Departure date | July 31, 2026 |
| New General Counsel | Molly Abraham (VP of Legal since Mar 2021) |
| Vice‑Chairman appointment | Ryan Van Grack |
| SEC case status | Dropped with prejudice in early 2025 |
Grewal’s exit follows the SEC’s decision to dismiss its 2023 lawsuit against Coinbase, a case the agency closed “with prejudice” in early 2025 without imposing a fine [2]. In his farewell note, Grewal highlighted taking the company public via a Nasdaq direct listing in April 2021, the move from Delaware to Texas, and the push for federal crypto legislation such as the GENIUS Act and the pending CLARITY Act. He will continue advising Coinbase through October and remain on the trust company board, ensuring continuity in the firm’s regulatory strategy.
Molly Abraham, who has led multiple legal teams as vice president of legal since 2021, steps up as general counsel, inheriting a legal department that has navigated the most high‑profile regulatory battles in the U.S. crypto sector. Ryan Van Grack, previously a senior legal executive, becomes vice chairman, tasked with expanding Coinbase’s relationships with governments and institutional partners worldwide. Faryar Shirzad will keep heading the global policy team, underscoring the exchange’s ongoing commitment to shaping clearer crypto rules.
Grewal’s departure signals a generational shift in Coinbase’s legal helm but leaves the firm’s core regulatory agenda intact, with the next chapter hinging on how Abraham and Van Grack steer the company through evolving U.S. crypto policy.
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AI-assisted synthesis by the TrendWatcher Editorial Desk · sourced from 3 outlets · Jul 10, 2026 · How we report
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Chief Legal Officer Paul Grewal is departing after six years, moving to an advisory role and remaining on the board, while Molly Abraham will become the new general counsel and Ryan VanGrack will become vice chairman.
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